Friday, September 17, 2010

Ginum is a Bagobo thanksgiving festival that may last for one to four days. Ginum means "to drink" or "drinking". Indeed the festivals features balaba (wine) in jars placed in each cornerof the long house of the datu, where the celebration takes place. A tambara or bamboo altar is placed in each of the various parts of the house. Two bamboo poles (patan-an) decorated with strips of palm leaves and cloth become the focus of the celebration. That is why the Ginum is also called pista sa kawayan or the bamboo festival.

In ancient practice, Ginum could include the display of enemy skulls mounted on the patan-an as offerings. The indigenous warriors boasted of their deeds. In some cases, the celebration included human sacrifice. Today, it is sufficient to offer a chicken, whose blood is made to drip onto the bamboo poles. Two mabalians or shamans (a man and a woman) and the datu or leading warrior lead the sacrificial offering.

Present Ginum celebrations focus on drinking, feasting, chanting and dancing to the music of gongs. People also put offerings on the mat prepared for the purpose. These offerings include beautiful clothing, knives and other expensive items. The people petition the spirits for abundant crops, good health, safe travel, and other blessings.